Cristiano Ronaldo increased his tally of international goals to 115 after netting a hat-trick in Portugal’s 5-0 home win over Luxembourg in Group A World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday.
It was a record 58th career treble for the Portuguese who continues to pull away as the men’s top international goalscorer of all-time with 182 appearances.
Ronaldo became the first man to net 10 international hat-tricks, as victory for Portugal meant they are just one point behind leaders Serbia, who moved onto 17 points with a 3-1 home win over Azerbaijan, with a game in hand and superior goal difference.
Portugal had the game all but won within the first 18 minutes.
Ronaldo struck twice from the penalty spot before his Manchester United team mate, Bruno Fernandes made it three as he fired in following good work from Bernardo Silva.
The forward then missed two gilt-edged chances either side of the break as he sought a third, before being denied a spectacular hat-trick goal when Anthony Moris kept out his acrobatic overhead kick.
Portugal did not have to wait long for their fourth, however, as midfielder Joao Palhinha headed in from the resulting corner with just over 20 minutes to go.
Ronaldo was not to be denied as the hosts pushed on, netting three minutes from time with a header from close range.
